Ladder.



LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1915- 1,144,600. Patented J1me 29, 1915.

Tag 1.

far arozd wj rrAnoLia o. JONES, or CHICAGO HEIGHTS, rumors.

LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1915.

Application filed March 29, 1915. Serial No. 17,646.

To all whomitmay concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago Heights, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ladders,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ladders, especially for freight cars, silos, water tanks, stand pipes and the like, and the object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive ladder which may be readily assembled and securely fastened to the supporting structure, and at the same time hold the rungs with absolute security.

To illustrate my invention I have shown it as applied to a freight car, although as above suggested, the invention is applicable to almost any situation where a permanent ladder is required. As a result of my construction the rimg is not only prevented from becoming detached but when properly made is even held against vibration.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the assembled ladder mounted ready for use. Fig. 2 is a plan section of the ladder on line 22 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed section showing one end of the rung interlocked with the stile. Fig. 4 is a view of the stile similar to Fig. 3, but with the rung re moved. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the rung-on the line 5-5 Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters denote similar parts throughout the several views.

In the form selected to illustrate the invention, the two up-rights or stiles 1, 1, consist of rolled steel sections each of which has an outer flange 1*, an inner flange l and a connecting section 1. In the form shown, the cross section is U shaped, that is, the central section joins the flanges on a curve. At the ends said stiles are forged in such manner as to produce legs 2 terminating in feet 3, by which the stiles may be bolted to the supporting structure and the main body of the stile held a slight distance away from the structure.

Each stile has a series of holes 1 which are located adjacent to the inner flange 1 and form notches 1 in the inner flange or at least at the point where the inner flange joins the central section 1. In other words, the outer surface of the stile is rounded near the flanges and the holes are located so near the inner flange that a recess or depression C. JoNEs, a:.

is formed which forms a seat or pocket for k the rung.

The rungs 4: are formed preferably of round metallic rods, bent at the ends in the manner shown. In the design illustrated, the end of the rung conforms to an ogee curve in which each sweep swings approximately 180 and the radius of curvature is but slightly greater than the diameter of the rung. The diameter of the hole is but slightly greater than the diameter of the rung and the end portion of the rung contacts the inner surface of the central section of the stile and hence holds the rung tightly seated in the notch 1 This prevents the rung from vibrating vertically and the shoulders formed by the bends effectually prevent longitudinal movement of the rung. This effect is also enhanced by bringing the end of the rung into contact with the inner surface of the outer flange 1 By preference the end of the rung is rounded off to conform to the curvature of the inner surface of the stile where the central section thereof joins the outer flange.

In operation, the parts are assembled in the manner shown, after which the stiles are fastened at their ends, by bolts or otherwise, to the main supporting structure. When the stiles are securely fastened the stiles and rungs become interlocked in a simple but very secure manner. The rungs are not only so held that they cannot become disengaged, but when made with reasonable accuracy are so held that they cannot even rattle. This is due primarily to the seating of the rungs in the notches 1 and in part to the efiicacious arrangement of the points of contact between the rung and the sti e.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A ladder having stiles, each of which has an inner flange arranged approximately transverse to the rung, and a second section arranged approximately at right angles thereto and extending outward from the inner flange, said stiles each having a series of holes, and said holes forming notches in the inner flange, andrungs seating in said notches and bending in through the holes in the stiles and engaging the inner surface of the second sectionv of the stile.

2. A ladder having stiles each consisting of a U shaped iron having a central section the stiles, and the axes of said holes being perpendicular to the surface of the supporting structure, sald holes forming notches in the innermost flanges, and rungs seating in said notches and having ogee bends asva result of Which the rungs pass in 10 through saidholes and'the ends of the rungs lie inside of the stiles.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

a HAROLD o. Jonns.

Copies of this patent maybe obtained for fi ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iiatents,

' Washington, D. 03f 

